The Goddess

Shen nu

Synopsis

An unnamed devoted mother sells herself by night on the streets of Shanghai in order to support herself and her infant son. When a gambler who calls himself “the Boss” strong-arms his way into becoming her pimp, she flees with her son and attempts to earn an honest living.

This film is not currently playing on MUBI but 30 other great films are. See what's now showing

The screen loved Ruan Lingyu and its so tragic that she didn't make many films but the films she did make (like this one the goddess) proves that she is actually in a caliber all her own. Greta Garbo wishes she had her presence. This film is beautiful and Lingyu's performance makes it a masterpiece.

Lingyu Ruan gives one of the screen's most revered performances here in this Chinese silent that finds her as a single mother forced to prostitution to care for her infant child and provide a better life for him. Lingyu is simply astounding here with a turn that captures the pain and anguish but also the hope and joy in living vicariously through her young son's promise for the future. First viewing but not the last.

Ruan may be the greatest silent era actress not named Maria Falconetti, and this magisterial picture about a Shanghai prostitute fallen on hard times captures her at the peak of her talents — subtle, poignant and incomparably versatile.

This is one of those rare films that you don't expect to be impressed by, but they somehow manage to get right to the core. It is truly amazing to find out that a Chinese film of the '30s has the ability to express such universal matters and feelings, whereas most of the films today just stay on the surface. We owe Wu Yonggang and Lingyu Ruan a lot for this wonderful, deeply humanistic film.

Heartbreaking, with the thinnest of silver linings, this is a gem of silent filmmaking. The direction and story are fine enough, but its the performance by Lingyu Ruan that's the standout here. Without all the overacting that's prevalent in silent films, Ruan gives an understates & marvelous performance. It's sad how soon her career was cut short.